From Cowtown to Boomtown with Robert Sturns

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Robert Sturns, Director of Economic Development for Fort Worth, discusses how the city is transforming from "Cowtown to Boomtown" while preserving its authentic character.

With over 25 years of experience in municipal government, commercial real estate, and banking operations, Sturns details Fort Worth's success in securing major investments, including recent wins with Bell and Embraer, while balancing business recruitment with community development initiatives like Evans & Rosedale and the Panther Island project.

Sturns also discusses his journey in the profession, including his 20+ year career serving both Fort Worth and Arlington. He offers insights into managing regional relationships, particularly addressing the challenge of establishing Fort Worth's identity distinct from Dallas, while emphasizing the importance of teamwork and partnerships in economic development success.

Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

1. Balance large-scale development with community needs and cultural preservation
2. Focus on building relationships before transactions in deal-making
3. Leverage existing cultural assets (like the Stockyards) for economic growth
4. Develop strategic plans for transformational projects like Panther Island
5. Create mixed-use developments that honor local heritage while embracing progress
6. Build strong partnerships with educational institutions for workforce development
7. Maintain clear communication channels with stakeholders and the community
8. Use existing success stories (like Bell and Embraer) to attract similar industries
9. Implement creative financing solutions for major development projects
10. Balance business retention efforts with new business recruitment strategies

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• Robert Sturns | LinkedIn
• Fort Worth Economic Development | Empowering Business
• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
• Royal Capital named master developer for Evans & Rosedale project – Welcome to the City of Fort Worth
• Who owns Panther Island | A look at plans to develop Fort Worth | wfaa.com
• Fort Worth recieves billions in economic development investment | wfaa.com
• Major investment and large-scale projects attract national attention to Fort Worth, Texas - Boston Business Journal
• Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
• The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday